Doctor’s Thoughts on Breast Implant Removal

At Pacific Center Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, breast implant removal surgery is a procedure that is handled with the utmost care, attention to detail, and respect. While it can be a liberating and exciting decision for some, it can also be a difficult decision involving circumstances that are less than ideal.

We understand that our Newport Beach breast implant removal patients come to us from all walks of life and with various concerns that are unique to them. With over 100 years of combined experience, our board-certified team is empathetic to every individual situation. At Pacific Center Plastic Surgery, you will be heard and your needs will be respectfully addressed. We are board-certified experts in this field, yes, but more importantly, we are people who care about you.

We entered into this field to help others. That could mean correcting a breast augmentation that didn’t turn out as beautifully as hoped, removing a ruptured implant and restoring the breast shape, performing en bloc capsulectomy, or informing those who may be concerned about breast implant illness.

There are very different situations that come with different motivations. At Pacific Center Plastic Surgery, we strive to deliver to best breast implant removal Newport Beach has to offer and you can rest assured that we have the knowledge and experience to provide you with the best results. You can also rest assured that we will provide the compassionate care you deserve, which can help keep your mind at ease throughout the process.

We understand that breast implant removal, also known as explant surgery, is a big decision. At Pacific Center Plastic Surgery in Orange County, our entire team is dedicated to serving you in your time of need.

breast revision guideline


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What is Breast Implant Removal Surgery?

Breast implant removal surgery is a surgical procedure to remove a breast implant or pair of implants from the body. The implants can be replaced with new implants or your own body fat. In some cases, the breasts may be reshaped and allowed to heal without implant replacement. Breast lifts are often done at the same time as a breast implant removal or replacement surgery to restore a more youthful shape and position of the breasts.

At Pacific Center Plastic Surgery, our board-certified plastic surgeons use their expertise and innovative techniques to create natural-looking full breasts following breast implant removal. Schedule a consultation today so we can answer your questions and make sure you have a complete understanding of your options for breast implant removal in Newport Beach.

Why Breast Implant Removal Surgery?

There are multiple reasons why you may want breast implant removal surgery at some point following breast augmentation:

breast implant revision

Size Change

The most common reason for breast implant removal is size change. Women may desire larger or smaller breasts once they see the final results of their initial surgeries, or as their lifestyles change over the years.

Capsular Contracture

Capsular Contracture

Capsular contracture can be a painful tightening of the scar tissue surrounding the implant. This can cause discomfort and tightness in the chest, and make the implants look and feel fake. En bloc capsulectomy is a common treatment option. Our board-certified specialists are highly regarded experts in performing en bloc capsulectomy.

Breast Implant Rupture

Implant Rupture

A rupture occurs when the outer shell of the implant rips or tears, which may cause the inner contents to seep out. Breast implant rupture can happen because of normal aging of the implant, trauma caused by a car accident, a needle insertion during a biopsy, or other factors. When a saline or silicone gel-filled implant has ruptured, the implant should be surgically removed.

breast Implant Position

Implant Position

Over time, gravity and movement can cause breast implants to shift within the body, causing an unnatural appearance. This happens most often with certain types of shaped implants. Surgery can reposition or remove the implants.

Breast Deformities

Breast Deformities

Over time, scar tissue, implant rippling, and weakened breast skin can cause visible deformities. These deformities can affect the size, shape, and contour of the breasts, which will require removal and possible replacement to fix.

Breast Implant Illness

Breast Implant Illness

Breast implant illness (BII) is a term for certain negative physical reactions, which a very small amount of patients may experience following breast augmentation. BII is a relatively new phenomenon, but initial research indicates breast implant removal often corrects BII symptoms.

What Options Do I Have for Breast Implant Removal?

At Pacific Center Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach breast implant removal surgery is dictated by your specific situation. Depending on your condition, the following options may be available:

Total Capsulectomy

A total capsulectomy is the removal of the entire breast capsule scar from around the breast implant. It includes the removal of the front and back wall of the implant capsule as well as the implant.

Partial Capsulectomy

With a partial capsulectomy, a specific part of the scar is removed. Typically, the back wall is left untouched to minimize complications. This procedure is often used in capsular contracture treatments.

En Bloc Capsulectomy

En bloc capsulectomy removes the entire capsule of scar tissue and the implant in one piece. En bloc, meaning “as a whole” or “all together,” is a technique frequently used for permanent removal, as well as in situations where BII or BIA-ALCL symptoms are present.

Additional Breast Contouring Procedures During Breast Implant Removal

With any breast implant removal technique, our doctors may be able to re-contour your breasts to restore your natural shape or enhance your shape to achieve your new desires. Available options include:

  • Implant replacement
  • Implant removal with a breast lift
  • Implant removal with fat grafting
  • Implant removal with a breast lift and fat grafting

Depending on the reason for removing the breast implants, there are situations where it may not be advisable to move forward with these procedures until your breasts have healed and your condition can be reassessed. Your surgeon will work with you to layout all your options and help you make the best decision for your health and aesthetic goals.

How Long Does Recovery Take After Breast Implant Removal?

Following your surgery, you will need some time to heal. Your breasts will be swollen and feel tender. Depending on your surgery, you may have drains inserted to allow proper healing and prevent infection during your recovery. You may also be asked to wear compression garments to reduce swelling.

While the exact timeline for recovery is different for each patient, many patients feel like they are “back to normal” around 6-8 weeks following surgery. As part of your consultation, your surgeon at Pacific Center Plastic Surgery will help set expectations regarding recovery based on your specific case. Before surgery, you will receive detailed instructions about any recovery restrictions and the best practices to follow to ensure a healthy recovery and the best outcome.

When Can I Expect to See Results?

Following surgery, your body will go through changes based on the nature of your procedure. Combining breast implant removal with additional procedures such as fat transfer or a breast lift, for example, can add to your recovery time and impact when you will see your complete results. At your follow-up visits, your surgeon can help you understand where you are at in the recovery process. For some of our Newport Beach breast implant removal patients, it may take up to a year for the final procedure results to be fully seen.

Am I a Candidate for Breast Implant Removal?

Breast implant removal surgery is a highly personal procedure. The reasons that patients choose this surgery range from cosmetic to medical necessity. You may be an ideal candidate for breast implant removal surgery if you fit into one or more of the following criteria:

  • Your implants are causing pain or discomfort
  • Your implants feel too heavy or are getting in the way of normal activities
  • You believe that you can feel your breast scar tissue getting harder/tighter
  • Your implants don’t look or feel right and you want a change
  • In addition to the above, you are a non-smoker, physically healthy, and maintain a stable weight

If you are already considering the procedure, we recommend taking some time to review other patients’ before and after photos and thinking about questions you may want to ask at a consultation with our team.

See Gallery

Schedule Your Consultation for Breast Implant Removal

The doctors at Pacific Center Plastic Surgery are board-certified experts who excel at achieving patients’ goals through breast implant removal surgery. During your consultation, you will have as much time as you need to ask the questions that matter to you about this important procedure. We also will make sure we understand your health situation and needs so we can be effective partners in your treatment.

Request your consultation today to ensure you get the care and compassion you deserve before, during, and after your breast implant removal surgery.

Breast Implant Removal FAQs

What is BIA-ALCL?

BBIA-ALCL stands for Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. It is a rare form of breast cancer that begins showing symptoms between 3-14 years following implant placement. Symptoms of BIA-ALCL include pain, swelling, lumps in and around the breast, and fluid buildup.
BIA-ALCL is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. If you suspect you may have symptoms of BIA-ALCL, we urge you to schedule a consultation with the doctors at Pacific Center Plastic Surgery as soon as possible to make sure you receive the best care quickly.

When should I consider en bloc capsulectomy for breast implant removal?

Our Newport Beach plastic surgeons are among the nation’s top doctors and thought leaders on en bloc capsulectomy. To learn more about en bloc capsulectomy, read Dr. Horowitz’s recent two-part series explaining the en bloc procedure and when it might be the right choice for breast implant removal.

To start with part I, click here.

How much does breast implant removal cost?

The cost of your breast implant removal will depend on multiple factors, including the type of surgery you require. Additional services to preserve your shape following implant removal, such as breast lifts or fat transfer, may also impact the price.

The most important factor in this decision is your safety. You should look for a licensed, board-certified surgeon with experience and strong credentials to perform your surgery. Fixing a bad procedure ultimately costs far more than getting it right the first time.

Our doctors are routinely voted among the best in the nation for plastic surgery, including breast implant removal. At Pacific Center Plastic Surgery, we offer multiple financing options to make sure that patients who need expert care for their breast implant removal surgeries can turn to our doctors for help.

Learn more about our financing options.